Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committees on Sports and on Youth, reaffirmed his unwavering support for Filipino athletes and young people as he graced the opening ceremony of the National Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) Games 2025 on Saturday, April 5, in Tuguegarao City.
In his speech before more than 8,000 athletes, coaches, and officials from 17 regions gathered at the Cagayan Sports Complex, Senator Go emphasized the need to invest in grassroots sports development as a way to keep the youth away from illegal drugs while strengthening the country’s athletic potential.
“Buong suporta po ang ibinibigay natin sa PRISAA at sa grassroots sports programs. Dito nagsisimula ang pangarap ng kabataang Pilipino na balang araw ay maging medalist sa pandaigdigang kompetisyon,” said Senator Go, a long-time advocate of youth empowerment through sports.
Senator Go reinforced the crucial role of grassroots tournaments in shaping disciplined, mentally resilient, and physically fit youth capable of rising to the global sports stage.
“The success in sports doesn’t begin in the spotlight,” Senator Go said. “Nagsisimula ito sa simpleng laro, sa paaralan, sa mga tournament, sa probinsya, at sa grassroots programs na nagbibigay daan sa pagdiskubre ng talento ng kabataang Pilipino.”
Calling on young Filipinos to turn to sports as a powerful shield against the perils of illegal drugs and criminality, Senator Go delivered his now-signature reminder: “Get into sports, stay away from drugs to keep us healthy and fit. At ‘pag tayo’y physically fit, healthy po tayo.”
Senator Go took pride in the country’s athletic milestones achieved under his tenure as Senate Sports Chairperson. He recounted how the Philippines clinched its first Olympic gold in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics—shortly after he assumed the chairmanship in 2019—and went on to win two more golds in the 2024 Paris Games.
“Proud lang po ako. Dati, kulang tayo, wala tayong gold sa Olympics,” said Senator Go. “Pero noong 2020, naging Chairman po ako ng Committee on Sports 2019, sinuportahan natin ang ating mga atleta na nakamit natin ang first ever gold sa 2020 Tokyo Olympics. At ngayon naman, nakadalawang gold tayo sa 2024 Paris Olympics. At hindi na lalayo, manggagaling po sa PRISAA athletes po ang magiging medalist sa susunod.”
Emphasizing the boundless potential of the youth, Senator Go encouraged the athletes to persevere and aim high, reiterating his belief in their promise: “Pagbutihan n’yo lang po ang inyong pagpupursige. Alam n’yo, malayo po ang inyong mararating.”
He also underscored his legislative performance, aiming to inspire discipline and excellence in students, both in and out of the classroom. “I have authored 16 laws, I have principally sponsored 82 laws, I have co-authored and co-sponsored 186 laws, at wala po akong absent sa Senado. Parati po akong present,” Senator Go told the youth.
“Kaya kayo rin, mga estudyante, mag-aral rin po kayo nang mabuti at present kayo parati.”
Among the education-related measures he highlighted was the National Academy of Sports (NAS) in New Clark City, a project he helped bring to life as one of the authors and co-sponsors of Republic Act No. 11470. Located in Capas, Tarlac, NAS combines secondary education with a sports-focused curriculum, offering a dual path for student-athletes to excel in their sports and academic endeavors.
“Ngayon po, meron na tayong eskwelahan sa New Clark City—National Academy of Sports. Isa po ako sa author at co-sponsor. Meron na pong mga graduates, mga scholars po ngayong taon na ito, na puwedeng mag-aral at sa same time mag-training ang student-athletes,” he said.
Senator Go envisioned the replication of the academy across regions: “Pagdating ng panahon, ‘yan po ang pamimilian natin na bawat rehiyon po ang magkakaroon ng eskwelahan na National Academy of Sports.”
He also called for a holistic approach to supporting athletes—not limited to financial aid but extending to food, moral support, and proper equipment. “Importante rin po ‘yung kagamitan, moral support, pagkain tuwing nagko-compete sila. Dapat po ang ating mga atleta naka-focus lang po sa paglalaro.”
As the sponsor of the sports budget in the Senate, Senator Go has been instrumental in securing support for the country’s sports development. He advocated for the repair and improvement of key sports facilities, such as the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila and Philsports Arena in Pasig City, believing that providing athletes with proper training environments, equipment, nutrition, and mental support is essential for their success.
“Kaya bilang Chairman ng Sports, isinulong natin na ma-repair ang Rizal Memorial Coliseum sa Maynila at ang Philippine Sports Arena rin po sa Pasig. At iba pang mga grassroots program po na puwede nating isulong pa,” he said.
Senator Go has also continuously pushed for an increased budget for sports programs to significantly improve Filipino athletes’ preparation, training, and competitive performance on the international stage while launching effective programs to cultivate the talents of young and aspiring sports enthusiasts at the grassroots level.
“Asahan n’yo po na susuportahan ko po ang mga sports program tulad rin po ng PRISAA,” he added.
The senator also took a moment to acknowledge the presence and support of several key officials and partners during the opening ceremony. He recognized Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba, Vice Governor Melvin Vargas Jr., Tuguegarao City Mayor Maila Rosario Ting Que, and Vice Mayor Bienvenido C. De Guzman for their local leadership.
He also extended his gratitude to Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard Bachmann and Commissioner Edward Hayco, as well as to the PRISAA National Board of Trustees and Officers, and all the athletes, coaches, and attendees who came together to celebrate Philippine sports excellence.
The senator closed by reminding students to show love and gratitude to their parents. “Please lang po, makikiusap ako sa inyo, mag-aral kayo nang mabuti, mahalin n’yo po ang inyong mga magulang. Kami pong mga magulang, wala kaming ibang ginagawa kundi mabigyan po kayo ng magandang kinabukasan.”
“Maraming salamat at mabuhay ang lahat ng lumahok,” he concluded. “Ipagpatuloy natin ang laban—hindi lamang sa paligsahan, kundi para sa kinabukasan ng ating kabataan at ng ating bayan. Mabuhay ang PRISAA Games! Mabuhay, atletang Pilipino! Maraming salamat po at magandang gabi po sa inyong lahat. Mahal na mahal po kayo ni Kuya Bong Go.”
This marks the second consecutive year that Senator Go has backed the nationwide staging of the PRISAA Games, which serve as a vital platform for discovering and nurturing promising athletic talent from private schools across the country.
